The path out of the Veiled Woods was brighter than the group expected, though the memory of the trials lingered heavily on their minds. The faint whispers of the forest receded, replaced by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze. For the first time in what felt like days, sunlight pierced through the canopy, spilling warmth onto the dirt path beneath their feet.
Alina paused, her staff glowing faintly as it always did. The Eternal Flame's energy pulsed gently, as though even it was relieved to be free of the oppressive forest.
"This is it," she said, turning to look at the others. "We made it through."
Selara stretched her arms, her posture relaxing for the first time since they'd entered the woods. "It's about time. I was starting to think we'd never see daylight again."
"Don't get too comfortable," Darian said, scanning the area ahead. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp. "The forest might be behind us, but the Keeper's warning wasn't just for show. Whatever's ahead could be worse."
Edric gave a dry laugh. "Worse than shadow clones and a talking tree? Fantastic. I was worried this would start getting easy."
Alina didn't smile. Instead, she looked ahead, her eyes narrowing as the landscape beyond the forest became clearer. Rolling hills stretched out before them, dotted with strange, ancient ruins that jutted out of the ground like jagged teeth. The sky above was an unsettling shade of grey, the sun's light filtered through a haze that seemed unnatural.
They reached the edge of the woods and stepped onto the open plain. The air here was different—colder, heavier, as if it carried the weight of centuries past. The ruins ahead emanated a faint, otherworldly glow, and a low hum vibrated through the ground beneath their feet.
"What is this place?" Selara asked, her voice hushed.
"The Forgotten Plains," Alina replied, her tone equally quiet. "I read about it once. They say this land was once home to a great civilization, but something happened. Something that wiped them out and left this behind."
Edric raised an eyebrow. "Lovely. Sounds like the perfect vacation spot."
Darian frowned. "And we're walking right into it?"
Alina nodded. "We don't have a choice. The Eternal Flame is guiding us here. Whatever we're looking for, it's somewhere in these ruins."
The group moved cautiously across the plain, their footsteps muffled by the soft grass beneath them. The hum grew louder as they approached the first of the ruins—a towering obelisk covered in intricate carvings. The symbols glowed faintly, pulsing in rhythm with the hum.
Alina reached out, her fingers brushing against the stone. The moment she made contact, a wave of energy rippled outward, and the hum grew deafening. The carvings lit up, and a circle of light appeared on the ground, surrounding the group.
"Uh, is this supposed to happen?" Edric asked, stepping closer to Alina.
"I don't know," Alina admitted, her voice tight with tension.
The light intensified, and the air around them shimmered. When the glow faded, they found themselves in a different place entirely.
They stood in what appeared to be the center of an ancient city. Towering spires loomed overhead, their surfaces smooth and gleaming as though untouched by time. The streets were paved with stones that sparkled faintly, and the air was eerily still.
"This isn't the plains anymore," Selara said, her hand on her daggers.
"No," Alina agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is... something else."
The Eternal Flame within her staff pulsed urgently, as though trying to communicate something. Alina closed her eyes, focusing on its energy.
"There's something here," she said. "Something powerful. It's calling to us."
Darian's hand tightened on his sword. "Is it a trap?"
"Probably," Selara muttered.
Alina opened her eyes, determination shining in them. "Trap or not, we need to find it. The Keeper said this path would test us, and this city is part of that test."
The group began to move through the silent streets, their senses on high alert. The buildings around them seemed alive, their surfaces shimmering faintly as though watching their every move.
Edric shuddered. "This place is worse than the forest. At least there, I knew what wanted to kill us."
"Stay focused," Darian said. "Whatever's here, we'll deal with it together."
They reached what appeared to be the heart of the city—a massive plaza dominated by a glowing fountain. The water within it shimmered with light, and at its center stood a pedestal holding a small, crystalline object.
"That's it," Alina said, her voice filled with certainty.
"The source of all this weirdness?" Selara asked.
"The next step," Alina corrected. She approached the fountain cautiously, her staff glowing brighter with each step.
The moment she touched the crystalline object, the plaza erupted with light. Shadowy figures emerged from the edges of the square, their forms humanoid but twisted, their eyes glowing with the same eerie light as the ruins.
"More tests?" Edric groaned, already reaching for his potions.
"No," Alina said, her voice firm. "This is different. These are guardians."
The shadows advanced, and the group sprang into action.
Darian met the first wave with his sword, deflecting their strikes with practiced precision. Selara darted through the fray, her daggers flashing as she struck with deadly accuracy. Edric hurled explosive vials, the bursts of light and fire forcing the shadows to scatter.
Alina stood at the center, the crystalline object in her hand glowing brightly. The Eternal Flame flared within her staff, sending waves of energy outward to support her companions.
The battle was fierce, but the group held their ground. Slowly, the shadows began to retreat, their forms dissolving into mist. When the last of them disappeared, the plaza fell silent once more.
Alina looked down at the object in her hand. It pulsed faintly, its energy now calm.
"This is what we came for," she said. "The Keeper's warning, the trials—everything led us here."
Darian nodded, his sword still in hand. "Then we've taken the next step. But what's the cost?"
Selara sighed, sheathing her daggers. "We'll find out soon enough. Let's get out of here before this place decides to test us again."
Alina held the crystalline object tightly, feeling its weight and significance. As they left the plaza, she couldn't shake the feeling that the real challenges were just beginning.